The Christian Science Monitor | Politics https://www.csmonitor.com Coverage of US politics from The Christian Science Monitor. en-us Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved. Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:25:41 EDT 300 The Christian Science Monitor | Politics https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com Midterms could mark start of a generational shift in Congress https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/1008/congress-age-boomer-millennial-generation?icid=rss 2a0f0544c20fe55a6697ea8c5faf303b In an aging Congress, more than two dozen seats will be filled by someone younger than the incumbent who is leaving or was defeated in a primary. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:30:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Victoria Hoffmann Redistricting that cracked Memphis raises questions about the meaning of representation https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/1008/memphis-tennessee-redistricting-midterms?icid=rss c6b6f41c9d2ba74dae8355233964fa35 New political maps have flowed from a Supreme Court ruling reinterpreting the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. Tennessee has splintered the state’s one Democratic stronghold into Republican-leaning districts. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Patrik Jonsson Republicans are losing support among Latinos. It might cost them the House. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/1001/hispanic-voters-trump-affordability-immigration?icid=rss e355c725da512feefc6f0cd235a7440f Many of the most competitive House districts this year, in states from Texas to Florida, California to Pennsylvania, have majority or near-majority Latino electorates. Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:38:00 -0400 Simon Montlake In Ohio, Sherrod Brown tests an old model of working-class appeal for Democrats https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/1001/sherrod-brown-ohio-senate-husted?icid=rss e48d744bfec48ac05329226fe358e200 At a moment when many Democrats are arguing over socialism and Israel, Sherrod Brown is squarely focused on the economic issues he’s always championed. Supporters say his brand of old-school liberalism could offer a way forward for his party. Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Sophie Hills Afrikaners, Trump’s priority refugees, settle into American life https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2026/0930/trump-refugees-afrikaners-oklahoma?icid=rss 186e4945c57098966fddea077d974479 The U.S. government is welcoming members of a small South African racial minority as refugees while continuing its drive to deport more immigrants. Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:49:00 -0400 Sarah Matusek Trump is moving fast and breaking things. He could pay in November. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0925/trump-executive-action-unpopular?icid=rss 79c2f470f402cc73632c14cfc6673fb5 Donald Trump’s muscular approach to presidential power aimed to score big wins for his agenda. Polls suggest voters are largely dissatisfied, from the Iran war to the economy. Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Linda Feldmann As MAGA turns toward ‘heritage Americans,’ Ramaswamy hopes it doesn’t leave him out https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0924/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-heritage-americans?icid=rss 293c53ad18dd0e006a52ba4e7ce116ea As a gubernatorial candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy wants to talk about tax cuts and data centers. But questions about where his party is headed – and how candidates like him may fit into that future – linger over his Ohio campaign. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:11 -0400 Sophie Hills Amid calls for AI rules, who in Congress has the tech savvy to help? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0922/artificial-intelligence-congress-regulations?icid=rss f58959c9c1840baa1d2ea6e10094a995 Few members of Congress have the kind of technology background that could be useful as they discuss regulating artificial intelligence. Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:00:11 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Many voters want generational change. Boomer priorities still rule. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0921/politics-baby-boomers-election?icid=rss ba6977ecf239caed86368813b053ea6f Electing younger candidates might not quickly change older Americans' influence in Congress. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:26:00 -0400 Simon Montlake On eve of China summit, Trump raises stakes on AI competition https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0921/trump-ai-china-regulate?icid=rss 20e86cc93c0fedc41030ee5f3a415c23 The likelihood of a comprehensive U.S.-China agreement on AI out of this week’s summit remains low. But the two nations might find a way to indicate they’re working together to address concerns about AI safety. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:00:17 -0400 Linda Feldmann Trump widens battle with the press, banning CNN and others from White House https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0918/trump-cnn-white-house-press-freedom?icid=rss dfc6caabe2c4807fa6c6e9e32a55b20d President Donald Trump announced a ban on three major news outlets – CNN, Politico, and MS NOW – calling them purveyors of “fake news.” Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:08:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann In an effort to tamp down inflation, the Fed raises interest rates https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0916/fed-rates-warsh-inflation?icid=rss 889368fcc4f24cef1b4cb38535932015 As the Iran war pushes up the price of fuel and food, experts say Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh had little choice but to raise interest rates for the first time in three years. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:25:42 -0400 Simon Montlake From Bernie Sanders to Steve Bannon, diverse AI-safety advocates grow louder https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0916/anthropic-artificial-intelligence-risk-safety?icid=rss 1bd493c794de0371581f88e88d1ccc24 A broad array of speakers from lawmakers to theologians voiced doubts about unregulated artificial intelligence at a “pro-human” Washington event Tuesday. AI is testing humanity’s ability to establish guardrails even as tech advances. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Supreme Court blocks Trump effort to restrict mail ballots ahead of midterms https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2026/0914/supreme-court-mail-ballots-midterms?icid=rss e43fe3efba188260250a073e6e2d889c Critics said the Trump plan for the U.S. Postal Service could disrupt states’ delivery of ballots to eligible voters as the Nov. 3 vote approaches and cause chaos, given imminent mailing of ballots. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:55:00 -0400 Andrew Chung Sobering warning about AI’s potential harm focuses Congress’ attention https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0914/anthropic-researcher-ai-warning-congress?icid=rss 33144c5dbcf54e0263ed161f900325f1 A warning from a former Anthropic employee about artificial intelligence’s potential to harm or eliminate humanity has prompted a flurry of action in Congress. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 17:16:35 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Perceptions of US government corruption are soaring. What can be done? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0914/washington-corruption-trump-congress?icid=rss bb2ae5481cfb448372f5cb3203989065 History shows periods of corruption tend to be followed by waves of reform. But legislative or constitutional fixes face high hurdles in such polarized times. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:06:31 -0400 Linda Feldmann The secret ballot has been an article of faith in U.S. elections. That's being tested in Georgia. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0913/elections-midterms-georgia-democracy-ai?icid=rss 3bf5b55273ff72a860f023015e84d412 There's a flaw in Georgia’s voting equipment that can allow voters to be matched to their ballots after they’ve been cast. Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:27:47 -0400 Kate Brumback Who runs US elections? Why the Constitution puts states and Congress in charge. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2026/0911/midterm-elections-trump-constitution?icid=rss 3c28c737769d849d6fccc5b5c4e885b8 The crafters of the U.S. Constitution, wary of centralizing power, gave states and Congress oversight over national elections. The president’s role is to enforce federal laws, including voter laws. The Trump administration is now testing the boundaries of that enforcement power, in the name of rooting out voter fraud. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:25:04 -0400 Henry Gass In Dallas, Trump leans into a midterm where ‘I’m on the ballot’ https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0911/republican-convention-dallas-trump-vance?icid=rss 9cb52899781121e11bcc8d9d7d8d5ccd With midterm elections for control of Congress drawing closer, a challenge for Republicans is Donald Trump’s deep slump in public approval. This week in Dallas, the president has been trying to turn that liability around on live TV. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:11 -0400 Simon Montlake Iowa farmers grow impatient with Trump on tariffs, Iran war https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0902/trump-iowa-farmers-election?icid=rss c91aecee04fb4fee4095da67ca1df0ff Iowa farmers say trade fights and the Iran war are adding uncertainty and raising costs. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:02:57 -0400 Sophie Hills